Studio Florals

I have a special spot in the review process for middle eastern weddings — the colors, all of the meaningful details and the incredible sense of the family’s part in the wedding day. One of the things that I think makes Maryam and Ajmal’s wedding special is that they mixed eastern and western ceremonies pairing traditions of the middle east with customs of the west like her traditional white wedding gown and veil. I also admire that they did not accept wedding gifts for themselves, but rather donated everything to their native Afghanistan. PS – I love the hair pin. It is amazing!

Ajmal and Maryam
Married in Falls Church, Virginia on October 31, 2009

Ajmal and Maryam are both originally from Afghanistan, but grew up in the US. Maryam is a lawyer and Amjal is a doctor. Maryam lived in New York and Amjal lived in Miami. But when they were introduced via email by a mutual friend on New Year’s Day back in 2009 it didn’t take long to realize it was a match. By June they were engaged and four months later they were married.

Memorable moment: “We had an Islamic ceremony, which was performed by Ajmal’s uncle, who we came to realize was a friend of my dad. My dad passed away years ago and so it meant a lot to both of us to be married by someone who was connected to him, as well as to Ajmal’s family,” says Maryam.

For their wedding they asked their guests not to bring presents, but if they wanted to give something, to give them gifts of cash, all of which they would send to Afghanistan to help the needy. They received $10,000.

We wish you countless years of happiness Maryam and Ajmal and a big thank you to florist Lisa Bertolino of Studio Florals for submitting this wedding and David and Joy Marie Smallwood of Joy Marie Photography for letting us share these images with our viewers!